Power control system with power drop out immunity and uncompromised startup time

ABSTRACT

A power control system provides immunity from power supply dropout for a controller without compromising a startup time of the controller. In at least one embodiment, the power control system includes separate startup and dropout immunity capacitors. In at least one embodiment, selection of the capacitance of the startup capacitor is independent of selection of the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitance. In at least one embodiment, the startup capacitance can be minimized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to normally operate during one missed cycle of an input voltage and, thus, provide a minimum startup time for the controller. The capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor can be maximized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to operate normally during a time period longer than one cycle of the input voltage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of electronics, and more specifically to a power control system with power drop out immunity and uncompromised startup time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Switching power converters convert supplied power into a form and magnitude that is useful for numerous electronic products including cellular telephones, computing devices, personal digital assistants, televisions, other switching power converters, and lamps, such as light emitting diode and gas discharge type lamps. For example, alternating current (AC)-to-direct current (DC) switching power converters are often configured to convert AC voltages from an AC voltage source into DC voltages. Switching power converters are available in many types, such as boost-type, buck-type, boost-buck type, and Cúk type converters.

A controller controls the power conversion process of the switching power converter. Occasionally, the supplied power to the switching power converter is interrupted for a period of time, but the controller should continue functioning. Interruptions of supplied power that either completely reduce supplied power to zero or reduce supplied power to a level that prevents a load of the switching power converter from operating normally is commonly referred to as a power supply dropout (referred to herein as a “dropout”). The switching power converter is generally designed to maintain power to the controller for a period of time during a dropout. Dropout immunity can be improved by increasing the amount of time during which the controller can continue normal operation during a dropout. Controller ‘startup time’ is the amount of time used by the controller to begin normal operations after being OFF. Generally, conventional switching power converters are designed to trade off less dropout immunity time for faster controller startup time and vice versa. In other words, to improve dropout immunity, startup time is increased, and to improve startup time, dropout immunity is decreased.

FIG. 1 depicts a power system 100 that includes a switching power converter 102. Power supply 106 provides an alternating current (AC) input voltage V_(IN). Input voltage V_(IN) is, for example, a nominally 60 Hz/110 V line voltage in the United States of America or a nominally 50 Hz/220 V line voltage in Europe. When switch 108 is ON, i.e. in a conducting state, full-bridge diode rectifier 109 rectifies the input voltage V_(IN) to generate rectified input voltage V_(X). Controller 104 controls the conversion by switching power converter 102 of rectified input voltage V_(X) into output voltage V_(LINK).

When controller 104 is OFF and switch 108 transitions from OFF, i.e. a non-conducting state, to ON, controller 104 enters a startup mode (referred to herein as “startup”) as soon as source voltage V_(DD) at node 111 reaches an operational level that allows the controller 104 to begin normal operation. “Normal operation” of a system means the system is operating within its design parameters. An “operational level” of supply voltage V_(DD) refers to a sufficient level to allow controller 104 to maintain normal operations. During startup, power supply 106 provides startup power through resistor 110 of startup circuit 120. In order for switching power converter 102 to begin operation as soon as possible after switch 108 is ON, it is desirable to minimize the startup time of controller 104. The startup time of controller 104 depends on how quickly the voltage V_(DD) rises to the operational level. The particular operational level of voltage V_(DD) depends upon the design parameters of controller 104.

The amount of time taken for controller supply voltage V_(DD) to rise to an operational level depends on the value of rectified input voltage V_(X), the resistance R of resistor 110, and the capacitance C of capacitor 114. As the values of resistance R and/or capacitance C increase, the voltage V_(DD) rises more slowly, thus increasing the startup time of controller 104. Conversely, as the values of resistance R and/or capacitance C decrease, the voltage V_(DD) rises more quickly, thus decreasing the startup time of controller 104. Thus, the selection of the values of the resistance R and the capacitance C effectively determine the startup time for controller 104.

Once controller supply voltage V_(DD) has reached an operational level, controller 104 begins normal operation to control switching power converter 102. During normal operation of switching power converter 102, auxiliary power supply 116 generates auxiliary voltage V_(AUX). Auxiliary voltage supply 116 and startup circuit 120 combine to generate controller supply voltage V_(DD).

The startup circuit 120 is not switched OFF during normal operation of controller 104 because capacitor 114 is also used to provide dropout immunity for switching power converter 102. If rectified input voltage V_(X) drops to zero during normal operation of controller 104, no current flows through startup circuit 120 and auxiliary power supply 116 ceases providing power to controller 104. During a dropout of rectified input voltage V_(X), energy stored by capacitor 114 continues to provide enough energy to maintain the supply voltage V_(DD) at node 111 at a sufficient level for controller 114 to continue normal operation for a limited amount of time during a dropout. The amount of time (referred to as the “dropout immunity time”) that capacitor 114 can supply operating energy to controller 104 depends upon how much energy is stored by capacitor 114. The amount of energy stored by capacitor 114 depends upon the amount of capacitance C of capacitor 114 and the time elapsed since the last time capacitor 114 was charged. The amount of capacitance C of capacitor 114 is directly proportional to the dropout immunity time. In other words, a larger capacitance C of capacitor 114 stores more energy and, thus, increases the dropout immunity time. Conversely, a smaller capacitance C of capacitor 114 stores less energy and, thus, decreases the dropout immunity time.

During normal operation, controller 104 generates a pulse width modulated control signal CS₀ that controls a gate-to-source voltage of field effect transistor (FET) 118 and, thus, controls conductivity of FET 118. When FET 118 is ON, inductor 122 begins storing energy. Diode 124 prevents discharge of link capacitor 126 through FET 118. When control signal CS₀ turns FET 118 OFF, an inductor flyback period begins as rectified input voltage V_(X) and the energy stored by inductor 126 boosts the voltage of link capacitor 126. Thus, switching power converter 102 is commonly referred to as a ‘boost-type’ switching power converter. The capacitance of link capacitor 126 is selected to maintain an approximately constant link voltage V_(LINK) for load 128. Load 128 can be any type of load, such as a cellular telephone, computing device, personal digital assistant, televisions, another switching power converter, or a lamp, such as light emitting diode and gas discharge type lamps. The pulse width of control signal CS₀ can be adjusted to maintain a desired output current i_(OUT) of switching power converter 102. The output current i_(OUT) is sensed by controller 104 through the resistor divider network of resistors 130 and 132. Prodić, Compensator Design and Stability Assessment for Fast Voltage Loops of Power Factor Correction Rectifiers, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Vol. 22, No. 5, September 2007, pp. 1719-1729 (referred to herein as “Prodić”), describes an example of controller 104.

Capacitor 114 is charged for both startup and dropout immunity for controller 104. However, although increasing the capacitance C of capacitor 114 improves dropout immunity, the startup time of controller 104 worsens. Conversely, decreasing the capacitance C of capacitor 114 worsens dropout immunity but improves the startup of controller 104. Consequently, selecting a value for capacitance C of capacitor 114 is a tradeoff between startup time and dropout immunity for controller 114. Thus, it is difficult to optimize both startup time and dropout immunity. Additionally, resistor 110 of startup circuit 120 continues to cause power losses even after startup of controller 104.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a startup capacitor configured to couple to a controller and a dropout immunity capacitor configured to couple between a first voltage source and the controller. A capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is greater than a capacitance of the startup capacitor. The startup capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation. The dropout immunity capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the controller for a period of time when the first voltage source provides insufficient power to allow the controller to continue normal operation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a power control system includes a switching power converter and a controller coupled to the switching power converter, wherein the controller is configured to generate a switch control signal to control the switching power converter. The power control system also includes a startup capacitor coupled to the controller and a dropout immunity capacitor coupled to the controller and configured to couple to a first voltage source. A capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is greater than a capacitance of the startup capacitor. The startup capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation. The dropout immunity capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the circuit for a period of time when the first voltage source provides insufficient power to allow the controller to continue normal operation.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method includes providing sufficient energy to a controller from a startup capacitor to allow the controller to begin normal operation. The method also includes providing sufficient energy to the controller from a dropout immunity capacitor for a period of time when a first voltage source provides insufficient power to allow the controller to continue normal operation. A capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is greater than a capacitance of the startup capacitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.

FIG. 1 (labeled prior art) depicts a power control system with a startup circuit and dropout immunity circuitry.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a power/controller system that includes a controller, startup circuit, and dropout immunity circuit.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a power/controller system that includes a controller, startup circuit, and dropout immunity circuit that is partially included in the controller and controlled by the controller.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a power/controller system that includes a controller, startup circuit, and dropout immunity circuit that is external to the controller and controlled by the controller.

FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of signals including of exemplary representations of an auxiliary voltage, a controller supply voltage, an alternating current supply voltage, and controller generated control signals.

FIG. 6 depicts a power/controller system that represents one embodiment of the power/controller system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 depicts a plurality of signals associated with the power/controller system of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In at least one embodiment, a power control system provides immunity from power supply dropout for a controller without compromising a startup time of the controller. In at least one embodiment, the power control system includes separate startup and dropout immunity capacitors. In at least one embodiment, selection of the capacitance of the startup capacitor is independent of selection of the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitance. In at least one embodiment, the startup capacitance can be minimized to provide reduced startup time for the controller and provide sufficient energy for the controller to normally operate for up to approximately one missed cycle of an input voltage. In at least one embodiment, the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor can be maximized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to operate normally for longer than one missed cycle of the input voltage. In at least one embodiment, the startup capacitor and dropout immunity capacitors are part of respective startup and dropout immunity circuits. The particular implementation of the startup circuit and the dropout immunity circuit is a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, the startup and dropout immunity circuits are implemented using discrete circuits. In at least one embodiment, at least part of the dropout immunity circuit is integrated as part of the controller. For example, in at least one embodiment, control circuitry for the dropout immunity circuit is integrated as part of an integrated circuit implementation of the controller.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a power/controller system 200 that includes a controller 202, startup circuit 204, and dropout immunity circuit 206. The startup circuit 204 and dropout immunity circuit 206 of power/controller system 200 are implemented externally to the controller 202. Controller 202 can be any type of controller. In at least one embodiment, controller 202 generates a control signal CS₀ to control any type of switching power converter including the boost-type switching power converter 602 of FIG. 6, a buck-type converter, a boost-buck type converter, and a Cúk converter. Supply voltage V_(AC) provides an alternating current (AC) voltage to startup circuit 204. The supply voltage V_(AC) can be any voltage. In at least one embodiment, supply voltage V_(AC) is identical to the rectified input voltage V_(X) of FIG. 6. The auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) provides voltage to the dropout immunity circuit 206. The auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) can be any voltage. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is generated by an auxiliary power supply such as auxiliary power supply 624 of FIG. 6.

Controller 202 operates from a supply voltage V_(DD) at node 208, and the startup circuit 204 and dropout immunity circuit 206 maintain supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level that allows controller 202 to normally operate. “Normal operation” of a system means the system is operating within its design parameters. An “operational level” of supply voltage V_(DD) refers to a sufficient level to allow a controller, such as controller 202, to maintain normal operations. The startup circuit 204 receives energy from the supply voltage V_(AC). When the supply voltage V_(AC) is initially supplied to the startup circuit 204, current flows through resistor 210 and charges capacitor 212. As discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the capacitance C_(SU) of startup capacitor 212 is set so that the startup capacitor 212 can maintain the supply voltage V_(DD) during a dropout of supply voltage V_(AC) so that controller 202 can normally operate up to a time equivalent to one cycle of supply voltage V_(AC). For example, if supply voltage V_(AC) has a frequency of 60 Hz, in one embodiment, startup capacitor 212 can supply sufficient energy to controller 202 to allow controller 202 to normally operate for 1/60 secs. The amount of time (referred to as “holdup time”) for which startup capacitor 212 can maintain supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level is a matter of design choice. The amount of holdup time for startup capacitor 212 is directly proportional to the capacitance value C_(SU) and inversely proportional to the amount of time for supply voltage V_(DD) to rise to an operational level.

The supply voltage V_(AC) can dropout for any number of reasons. For example, when controller 202 controls a switching power converter driving a lighting system, a circuit (such as circuit 604 in FIG. 6) can temporarily cause supply voltage V_(AC) to drop out for less than one cycle (i.e. period) of supply voltage V_(AC). For example, in a lighting system context, a dimming circuit, such as a triac dimmer, phase modulates the supply voltage V_(AC) (i.e. the supply voltage V_(AC) drops to approximately zero for a phase of the supply voltage V_(AC) corresponding to a dimming level.) During phase modulation, startup capacitor 212 maintains supply voltage V_(DD) at node 208 at an operational level for up to one missing cycle of supply voltage V_(AC). (For more information about triac dimmers see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/047,249, entitled “Ballast for Light Emitting Diode Light Sources”, inventor John L. Melanson, filed on Mar. 12, 2008 and commonly assigned to Cirrus Logic, Inc.).

Charging of dropout immunity capacitor 214 is a passive operation in that auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) begins charging dropout immunity capacitor 214 as soon as auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) exceeds a voltage threshold (typically 0.7 V for a silicon diode) of diode 216. The dropout immunity circuit 206 receives energy from the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX). In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is generated from a primary supply voltage source, such as the source of supply voltage V_(AC). Thus, when the primary supply voltage source drops out, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) typically also drops out. As discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the capacitance C_(DO) of dropout immunity capacitor 214 is set so that the dropout capacitor 214 can supply sufficient energy to allow controller 202 to normally operate during a time period that exceeds one cycle of the supply voltage V_(AC).

For example, when controller 202 controls a switching power converter driving a lighting system, a circuit (such as switch 604 in FIG. 6) can temporarily cause supply voltage V_(AC) to drop out for multiple cycles of supply voltage V_(AC) and then reconnect supply voltage V_(AC). For example, in at least one embodiment, the controller 202 supports a ‘dimming on random switching’ (“DORS”) dimming operation. As subsequently explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 5, the DORS dimming operation allows a person or device to randomly disconnect and then reconnect the supply voltage V_(AC) within a limited period of time, such as 1 second or less. The controller 202 interprets the dropout and reconnection of supply voltage V_(AC) as a dimming command.

To maintain normal operation of controller 202 during a DORS related dropout of supply voltage V_(AC), dropout immunity capacitor 214 maintains supply voltage V_(DD) at node 208 at a sufficient level to allow controller 202 to maintain normal operations and process the voltage dropout as DORS dimming information. For a 50 Hz supply voltage V_(AC), the DORS related dropout of up to 1 second equates to up to 50 cycles of supply voltage V_(AC). Thus, the capacitance C_(DO) of dropout immunity capacitor 214 is larger than the capacitance C_(SU) of startup capacitor 212 to allow the dropout immunity circuit 214 to maintain energy for normal operation of controller 202 for an extended period of time. However, in at least one embodiment, the lower value of capacitance C_(SU) of startup capacitor 212 relative to capacitance C_(DO) allows node 208 to charge to a sufficient voltage level to allow controller 202 to begin normal operations in a shorter amount of time than occurs with the conventional power system 100 (FIG. 1) without compromising dropout immunity time and vice versa. The particular capacitance C_(DO) of dropout immunity capacitor 214 is a matter of design choice. The value of capacitance C_(DO) is directly proportional to the holdup time of supply voltage V_(DD) during a dropout of auxiliary voltage V_(AUX). In at least one embodiment, the capacitance C_(DO) is 10 μF.

The dropout immunity circuit 206 also includes diode 216. Diode 216 prevents the startup capacitor 212 from discharging to dropout capacitor 214 when the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) drops out. Thus, during a one cycle or less dropout of supply voltage V_(AC) and auxiliary voltage V_(AUX), the energy stored by startup capacitor 212 is used to maintain the supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a power/controller system 300 that includes a controller 302, startup circuit 204, and dropout immunity circuit 304. In at least one embodiment, the dropout immunity circuit 304 is implemented partially external to the controller 302 and is partially integrated as part of controller 302. The startup circuit 204 functions as previously described with reference to FIG. 2.

Controller 302 determines when dropout immunity capacitor 214 charges so as to allow startup capacitor 212 to quickly charge supply voltage V_(DD) at node 208 to an operational level without also charging the relatively slow charging of dropout immunity capacitor 214. During startup of controller 302, supply voltage V_(AC) charges startup capacitor 212 until supply voltage V_(DD) at node 208 reaches an operational level. Controller 302 begins normal operation, which can include a predetermined startup routine, when the supply voltage V_(AC) charges startup capacitor 212 sufficiently so that supply voltage V_(DD) at node 208 reaches an operational level.

In at least one embodiment, controller 302 monitors auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) at node 208 via a sense path 306. Sense path 306 is depicted as a segmented line, because sense path 306 is optional. In at least one embodiment, at the startup of controller 302, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) generated by an auxiliary power supply (such as auxiliary power supply 624 FIG. 6) is insufficient to raise supply voltage V_(DD) to an operational level. Controller 302 generates control signal CS₁ to turn switch 314 OFF, i.e. nonconductive. Switch 314 can be any type of switch. In at least one embodiment, switch 314 is an n-channel field effect transistor (“FET”), and control signal CS₁ is a gate-to-source voltage signal. When switch 314 is OFF, dropout immunity capacitor 214 does not charge. Diode 308 prevents current flow into node 310. Thus, during startup of controller 302, since no current flows from node 208 to node 310 and dropout immunity capacitor 214 does not charge, energy supplied by supply voltage V_(AC) is not used to also charge dropout immunity capacitor 214. Thus, the supply voltage V_(DD) rises to an operational level faster than would occur if supply voltage V_(AC) charged both the startup capacitor 212 and the dropout immunity capacitor 214 at the startup of controller 302.

In at least one embodiment, sense path 306 is not present and controller 302 assumes that auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is at a level sufficient to charge dropout immunity capacitor 214 and thereby holds supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level once controller 302 begins normal operation. Once controller 302 determines or assumes that the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) has risen to a level sufficient to charge dropout immunity capacitor 214 to at least supply voltage V_(DD), controller 302 generates control signal CS₁ to turn switch 3140N, i.e. conductive. When switch 314 is ON, dropout immunity capacitor 214 begins storing energy to provide immunity from a dropout of auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) as previously described with reference to power/controller system 200 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a power/controller system 400 that includes a controller 402, startup circuit 204, and dropout immunity circuit 404. In at least one embodiment, the controller 402 is identical in operation to controller 302 (FIG. 3), and dropout immunity circuit 404 is identical in operation to dropout immunity circuit 304 except that dropout immunity circuit 404 is implemented wholly external to controller 402. In at least one embodiment, the dropout immunity circuit 404 is implemented using discrete components, and controller 402 is implemented as an integrated circuit.

FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of signals 500 consisting of exemplary representations of auxiliary voltage V_(AUX), a controller supply voltage V_(DD), supply voltage V_(AC), control signal CS₀, and switch control signal CS₁. As described in more detail, FIG. 5 depicts a scenario in time beginning at startup of controllers 202, 302, or 402 at time t₀ and dropout of supply voltage V_(AC) and auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) for various periods of time. The voltage levels of auxiliary voltage V_(AUX), supply voltage V_(AC), and supply voltage V_(DD) are for illustration purposes and, in at least one embodiment, are not drawn to scale.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, at time t₀ auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is an approximately constant direct current (DC) voltage and supply voltage V_(AC) provides a rectified AC voltage. Supply voltage V_(DD) remains approximately constant at an operational level for controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402. At time t₀, switch control signal CS₁ causes switch 314 to stay OFF. In at least one embodiment, switch control signal is a logical 0, which is insufficient to turn ON switch 314. Supply voltage V_(AC) begins charging startup capacitor 212 at time t₀. In at least one embodiment, the capacitance C_(SU) of startup capacitor 212 and resistance of resistor 210 allow supply voltage V_(DD) to reach an operational level of 12V within 25 msec. In at least one embodiment, capacitance C_(SU) is approximately 1 μF. By isolating dropout immunity capacitor 214 from startup capacitor 212 via diode 216 (FIG. 2) and switch 314 (FIG. 3), the supply voltage V_(AC) can initially charge startup capacitor 212 without additionally charging dropout immunity capacitor 214. Thus, the startup time of controllers 202 and 302 are improved while still providing dropout immunity using dropout immunity capacitor 214.

When supply voltage V_(DD) reaches an operational level, controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402 begins operating normally. During normal operation, controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402 begins generating control signal CS₀. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, once controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402 begins generating control signal CS₀, an auxiliary power supply (such as auxiliary power supply 624 of FIG. 6) begins generating auxiliary voltage V_(AUX). Once controller 302 or controller 402 determines that the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is available to charge the dropout immunity capacitor 214, controller 302 or controller 402 generates control signal CS₁ to turn switch 3140N. In at least one embodiment, control signal CS₀ is duty cycle modulated. The solid black representation of control signal CS₀ represents exemplary state changes of control signal CS₀ at a high frequency relative to the frequency of supply voltage V_(AC). At time t₁, startup capacitor 212 is charged to an operational level of supply voltage V_(DD). Between time t₁ and t₂, dropout immunity capacitor 214 is also charged to the operational level of supply voltage V_(DD). Control signal CS₁ remains at a logical 1 to keep switch 3140N until controller 302 or controller 402 turns OFF. As subsequently described, after time t₁, startup capacitor 212 and/or dropout immunity capacitor 214 are able to maintain supply voltage V_(DD) at an approximately constant DC operational level while controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402 is ON.

At time t₂, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) and the supply voltage V_(AC) dropout. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) drops out when the supply voltage V_(AC) drops out, and the supply voltage V_(AC) can drop out for up to one cycle due to, for example, phase modulation of supply voltage V_(AC) or unintended power perturbations. The supply voltage V_(AC) is reinstated at time t₃ and, thus, only drops out for one cycle. Between times t₂ and t₃, which represents one cycle of supply voltage V_(AC), startup capacitor 212 holds the supply voltage V_(DD) at an approximately constant, operational level to allow controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402 to normally operate.

Between times t₃ and t₄, supply voltage V_(AC) charges startup capacitor 212 and maintains supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level. The auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) also rises when supply voltage V_(AC) is reinstated. Between times t₄ and t₅, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) and the supply voltage V_(AC) both drop out. In at least one embodiment, the supply voltage V_(AC) drops out due to DORS dimming. Between times t₄ and t₅, dropout immunity capacitor 214 supplies sufficient energy to maintain supply voltage V_(DD) at the operational level. In at least one embodiment, the difference between times t₄ and t₅ is less than or equal to one (1) second, and the capacitance C_(DO) of dropout immunity capacitor 214 is sufficient to supply enough energy to node 208 to maintain supply voltage V_(DD) at the operational level. By maintaining supply voltage V_(DD) at the operational level, controllers 202 and 302 maintain operation and are able to implement the DORS dimming operation without using nonvolatile memory to store a previous dimming value and without incurring a startup cycle between DORS dimming signals. If the time difference between times t₄ and t₅ exceeds the ‘hold-up’ time of dropout immunity capacitor 214, controller 202, controller 302, or controller 402 powers down. At time t₅, supply voltage V_(AC) is reinstated, auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) rises, and supply voltage V_(DD) remains at the operational level.

FIG. 6 depicts a power control system 600 that includes a boost-type switching power converter 602 controlled by controller 603. The switching power converter 602 provides a link voltage to load 608. Load 608 can be any type of load, such as another switching power converter or a lighting system that includes one or more lamps. The lamps can be any type of lamps including gas discharge type lamps (such as fluorescent lamps) or light emitting diodes (LEDs).

FIG. 7 depicts a plurality of signals 700, including auxiliary voltage V_(AUX), supply voltage V_(DD), supply voltage V_(AC), switch control signal CS₁, and switch control signal CS₂. In at least one embodiment, load 608 is a lighting system, and the Lighting Output signal represents a percentage of maximum lighting output from load 608 corresponding to various events described subsequently.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, at time t₀, supply voltage V_(IN) is rectified by full-bridge diode rectifier 610 to generate a rectified input voltage V_(X). Capacitor 612 provides high frequency filtering. Controller 603 generates a duty cycle modulated, switch control signal CS₂ to provide power factor correction and regulation of link voltage V_(LINK). In at least one embodiment, switch control signal CS₂ is identical to control signal CS₀. Switch control CS₂ changes state at a frequency much higher (e.g. greater than or equal to 25 kHz) than the frequency of rectified input voltage V_(X) (e.g. 100-120 Hz), and is, thus, represented in solid black.

In at least one embodiment, switch control signal CS₀ controls conductivity of switch 614. In at least one embodiment, switch 614 is an n-channel FET. When switch 614 conducts, inductor 616 stores energy from inductor current i_(L) in a magnetic field. Diode 618 prevents link capacitor 620 from discharging into inductor 616. When switch 614 is non-conductive, the switching power converter 602 begins an inductor flyback mode, and the voltage of rectified input voltage V_(X) and an inductor voltage V_(L) combine to boost the link voltage V_(LINK) above the rectified input voltage V_(X). In at least one embodiment, controller 603 operates switching power converter 602 in continuous conduction mode. In at least one embodiment, controller 603 operates switching power converter in discontinuous conduction mode. In at least one embodiment, controller 603 monitors the rectified input voltage V_(X) via feed forward path 617 to provide power factor correction for switching power converter 602. In at least one embodiment, controller 603 also monitors the link voltage V_(LINK) via feedback path 619. In at least one embodiment, controller 603 generates switch control signal CS₂ to operate switch 614 and thereby provide power factor correction and regulation of link voltage V_(LINK) as illustratively described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/967,269, entitled “Power Control System Using a Nonlinear Delta-Sigma Modulator with Nonlinear Power Conversion Process Modeling,” inventor John L. Melanson, and filed on Dec. 31, 2007.

Inductor 622 is magnetically coupled to inductor 616 to form an auxiliary power supply 624. In at least one embodiment, inductors 616 and 622 are implemented as respective primary-side and secondary-side coils of a transformer that can include a magnetic core (not shown). The auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is the voltage across inductor 622. Thus, when rectified input voltage V_(X) is non-zero, auxiliary power supply 624 generates the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX). However, when rectified input voltage V_(X) drops out, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) also drops out.

At time t₀, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the rectified input voltage V_(X) charges startup capacitor 212 through resistor 210 of startup circuit 204. The voltage across startup capacitor 212 is the supply voltage V_(DD). At time t₁, the startup capacitor 212 is charged to an operational level of supply voltage V_(DD), and controller 603 begins normal operation. In normal operation, controller 603 begins generating the duty cycle modulated, switch control signal CS₂ to operate switch 614. In at least one embodiment, switch 614 is an n-channel FET. Once switching power converter 602 begins normal operation at time t₁, auxiliary power supply 624 generates auxiliary voltage V_(AUX), and controller 603 changes a state of control signal CS₁ from logical 0 to logical 1 to turn FET 6260N. Once FET 626 is ON, dropout immunity capacitor 214 charges to approximately supply voltage V_(DD). In the embodiment of FIG. 7, dropout immunity capacitor 214 charges to approximately supply voltage V_(DD) between times t₁ and t₂. The charging time of dropout capacitor 214 depends on auxiliary power supply 624, the capacitance C_(DO) of dropout immunity capacitor 214, and the resistance of resistor 628. The particular values of C_(DO), C_(SU), and the resistance of resistor 628 are a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, capacitance C_(SU) is sufficient to maintain an operational level of supply voltage V_(DD) up to one cycle of rectified input voltage V_(X) when the rectified input voltage V_(X) drops out. In at least one embodiment, the capacitance of C_(DO) is sufficient to allow controller 603 to continue normal operation when rectified input voltage V_(X) drops out in accordance with a DORS dimming operation. In at least one embodiment, the capacitance C_(DO) is 10 times C_(SU). For example, in at least one embodiment, capacitance C_(DO) equals 10 μF, and capacitance C_(SU) equals 1 μF.

In at least one embodiment, auxiliary voltage V_(AUX) is nominally 13V. FET 626 represents one embodiment of switch 314 (FIG. 3). Resistor 628 provides a resistive path for charging dropout immunity capacitor 214. Thus, at time t₀, both startup capacitor 212 and dropout immunity capacitor 214 are charged to approximately supply voltage V_(DD). Also at time t₁, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the light output of load 608 is at 100% of maximum light output for load 608. In at least one embodiment, the resistance of resistor 628 is greater than 5 kohms. Diode 630 provides a low resistance reverse path from reference node 632 to capacitor 214.

At time t₂, the rectified input voltage V_(X) and, consequently, the auxiliary voltage V_(AUX), drop out until time t₃. Diode 308 prevents current flow from startup capacitor 212 and dropout immunity capacitor 214 into auxiliary power supply 624. The startup capacitor 212 and dropout immunity capacitor 214 provide energy to maintain supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level. Thus, controller 603 continues to operate normally during the dropout of rectified input voltage V_(X) and auxiliary voltage V_(AUX).

At time t₃, rectified input voltage V_(X) is reinstated and, thus, the auxiliary power supply 624 generates a positive auxiliary voltage V_(AUX).

At time t₄, the rectified input voltage V_(X) drops out. In at least one embodiment, the dropout of rectified input voltage V_(X) results from switch 604 turning OFF in order to change the light output level of load 608 from 100% to 75%.

At time t₅, switch 604 is turned back ON, which reinstates rectified input voltage V_(X). The difference between times t₄ and t₅ is within the maximum allowable dropout time of rectified input voltage V_(X) for a DORS dimming indication. Accordingly, dropout immunity capacitor 214 maintains supply voltage V_(DD) at an operational level, which allows controller 603 to continue operation. Controller 603 detects the reinstatement of rectified input voltage V_(X) via feed forward path 617 and generates control signal CS₂ so that the light output of load 608 drops to 75% of the maximum light output of load 608.

The process described in conjunction with FIGS. 6 and 7 is illustrative and can be repeated or rearranged any number of times.

Thus, in at least one embodiment, separate startup circuit and a dropout immunity circuit facilitates implementing a startup circuit without tradeoff and compromise of dropout immunity.

Although embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a startup capacitor configured to couple to a controller; and a dropout immunity capacitor configured to couple between a first voltage source and the controller, wherein a capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is greater than a capacitance of the startup capacitor; wherein the startup capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation prior to the dropout immunity capacitor having sufficient energy to provide to the controller to allow the controller to operate normally; and wherein the dropout immunity capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the controller for a period of time when the first voltage source provides insufficient power to allow the controller to continue normal operation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the controller, wherein the controller comprises a switch coupled to the dropout immunity capacitor, and the controller is configured to actively control charging of the dropout immunity capacitor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a switch coupled to the dropout immunity capacitor and the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the switch to control charging of the dropout immunity capacitor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the switch is external to the controller.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the switch is internal to the controller.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to prevent the dropout immunity capacitor from charging until the startup capacitor is able to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the switch is coupled in series with the dropout immunity capacitor and connected to a reference voltage node.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is approximately 10 times greater than the capacitance of the startup capacitor.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the startup capacitor is further configured to couple to a second voltage source and the second voltage source generates an alternating current (AC) voltage and the startup capacitor has a capacitance to allow the startup capacitor to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to operate for up to a first time period equivalent to one period of the AC voltage.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dropout immunity capacitor has a capacitance to allow the dropout capacitor to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to operate for up to a second time period equivalent to N periods of the AC voltage, and N is a real number greater than one.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a value of N is sufficient to allow the controller to normally operate during a dropout of the first voltage source to accommodate a dimming on random switching (“DORS”) dimming operation.
 12. A power control system comprising: a switching power converter; a controller coupled to the switching power converter, wherein the controller is configured to generate a switch control signal to control the switching power converter; a startup capacitor coupled to the controller; and a dropout immunity capacitor coupled to the controller and configured to couple to a first voltage source, wherein a capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is greater than a capacitance of the startup capacitor; wherein the startup capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation prior to the dropout immunity capacitor having sufficient energy to provide to the controller to allow the controller to operate normally; and wherein the dropout immunity capacitor is configured to provide sufficient energy to the circuit for a period of time when the first voltage source provides insufficient power to allow the controller to continue normal operation.
 13. The power control system of claim 12 further comprising: the controller, wherein the controller comprises a switch coupled to the dropout immunity capacitor, and the controller is configured to generate a control signal to actively control charging of the dropout immunity capacitor.
 14. The power control system of claim 12 wherein the controller is configured to prevent the dropout immunity capacitor from charging until the startup capacitor is able to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation.
 15. A method comprising: providing sufficient energy to a controller from a startup capacitor to allow the controller to begin normal operation prior to a dropout immunity capacitor having sufficient energy to provide to the controller to allow the controller to operate normally; and providing sufficient energy to the controller from the dropout immunity capacitor for a period of time when a first voltage source provides insufficient power to allow the controller to continue normal operation, wherein a capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is greater than a capacitance of the startup capacitor.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: preventing the dropout immunity capacitor from charging until the startup capacitor is able to provide sufficient energy to the controller to allow the controller to begin normal operation.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: generating a control signal to control a switch coupled to the dropout immunity capacitor to control charging of the dropout immunity capacitor.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor is approximately 10 times greater than the capacitance of the startup capacitor.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the startup capacitor is configured to couple to a second voltage source and the second voltage source generates an alternating current (AC) voltage, the method further comprising: providing sufficient energy to the controller from the startup capacitor to allow the controller to operate for up to a first time period equivalent to one period of the AC voltage.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein providing sufficient energy to the controller from a dropout immunity capacitor for a period of time further comprises: providing sufficient energy to the controller from the dropout immunity capacitor to allow the controller to operate for up to a second time period equivalent to N periods of the AC voltage, and N is a real number greater than one.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein a value of N is sufficient to allow the controller to normally operate during a dropout of the first voltage source to accommodate a dimming on random switching (“DORS”) dimming operation. 